Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Return of the Sixties


Last week was the 38th annual Walnut Grove Bluegrass Festival in Winfield, Kansas and we were there. This is the third time I've ever attended this festival and I love it more every time. It starts on Wednesday and ends on Sunday of the third weekend in September. The first year I went it was 110 degrees in the shade and I nearly fried. The second time I went it was so cold that I had to buy a sweatshirt with a hood and wear every stitch of clothes I brought under it just to survive. This year, third time's the charm I guess, the weather was perfect.

There are five stages (but one of them isn't a sanctioned one if you get my drift) (and if you don't get my drift it's down in the far campground where the funny cigarette smoke forms a cloud over everything and I don't dare go). The music is really a mix of bluegrass, folk, cowboy, with an Irish band thrown in and even a country song or two. There's always a gospel song in every event and on Sunday that's the favored music of the day. You take your lawn chairs and move from stage to stage depending on which group you want to hear that hour. Tie dyed clothes are real popular and every other person attending is carrying a banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin or autoharp. It's a family affair with lots of babies and small children skipping along beside the motorized chairs of the elderly. The food is to die for - turkey legs and corn on the cob, barbecue, reuben sandwiches, fried fish and shrimp, Greek food, Chinese food, and best of all, funnel cakes. I ate one every day. Can you say gained 5 pounds? They even had homemade ice cream and kettle corn and fresh squeezed lemonade. Oh my goodness.
It's a time for friends and family and community. People joined together singing folk songs and the pride in our country and prayers for our fighting men and women were mentioned by every group. Events like this remind me of the sixties when we went to drive in movies and camped in tents by the river and played in the neighborhood till dark thirty. It soothes my soul. If you've never been to a bluegrass festival find one near you - there are a lot of them all during the year. It's a lot like going to the county fair - you'll find yourself tired, but refreshed, at the end of the day. You'll find yourself saying, "America is alive and well - praise God!"

11 comments:

Michelle said...

This sounds like a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing!
be blessed,
Michelle

Janet, said...

My husband and I love bluegrass! Banjos and fiddles are my favorite. Sounds like you had a good time.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

And all God's children said: "AMEN"!

Phyllis said...

I love gatherings like that. It shows the true spirit of Americans!

Val said...

This sounds like so much fun. I am glad to hear from you. Be safe and have fun.

Salem Stitcher said...

It sounds like a wonderful time!

Marie Rayner said...

OH, it looks and sounds like a wonderful time! Todd would love to experience something like this just once! No such thing over here that I have ever been able to discover!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Looks like you and hubby are having fun on your trip. Love shows outdoors. Be safe and keep us posted of your travels.
Bonnie

Lori said...

The "funny cigarette smoke" cloud? You are too funny. I'll have to remember that one in reference to.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Sounds like a wonderful time!!

Dandelion Quilts said...

Looks like fun, Marlene! You'll have to excuse my absence. About a month ago, I did a very silly thing and accidently erased my blogroll. I have slowly been trying to recoop my old friends! OOPS. What a headache. Glad to say I found you again!